celebrate of christ it's the twenty fifth of december the only problem so to say is that the russian orthodox church and some other churches use julian calendar which is thirteen days. difference gap with the good intel and so now we have twenty fifth of december so. it's the same in fact it's the same and so now believe is all over the world gathering for ceremonies and in fact you will be commentating live on our website on what's happening in russia so you can feel can you give us an idea of just what that service will involve because our correspondent tom little earlier said it's it's pretty long that's right the tradition of. night services means that the evening service and the morning service connects in one that means that we have one part which is approximately two to three hours that's a great compliment and martyn's. connected with the divine liturgy so that could continue up to five six hours but usually. shortened and you have three in the hall for four hours i would say that in christ the savior cathedral the service will be approximately three and a half hours and as i'm talking to yo

there's a sense that the orthodox church has been supporting them. t i would say there was no official endorsement of one candidate against another candidate. but people from the church and not only from the russian orthodox church, but from other traditional churches, they met with mr. putin as a presidential candidate. each of them was able to say what they think. craig moe buttered always support vladimir putin? will the church always support vladimir putin? >> it depends on how they act. the official position of the church says that there are actions that are contrary to a good christian morality, and the church can call for various forms of civil disobedience. >> now, a beijing photographer snapped pictures occur of the chinese capital's skyline for years and created a visual representation of the extent of air pollution. here is the result. these are the photographs from july of last year. 31 daily for grabs taken. 20 of them show smog. pollution is an ongoing problem for china's capital. latest wave of pollution peaked on saturday with off the

across the country it is now christmas eve according to the julian calendar which the russian orthodox church uses falls on the sixth or seventh of january not on the twenty fifth of december in the in the crisis saying it could be two behind me worshippers have packed in to take part in to listen to the liturgy chanted in a very long and wind it can be considered a very beautiful service here for the russian orthodox christmas eve for many russians it's now over twenty years since the end of the soviet union which was of course of course which was of course atheist many russians actually don't observe this very religious christmas eve very much anymore it is marked only and isn't really a cause for celebration most of the celebrations that many christians would associate with christmas eve actually take place on new year's eve him in russia with a big big family dinners the giving of presents christmas trees and things like that but. significant number of russian orthodox believers in in russia and those worshippers do celebrate this this night with this very long. tomorrow on the seventh. c

now as christmas celebrations in western countries are now over for the followers of the orthodox church around the world the seventh of january marks the biggest day of celebration and that includes many millions in russia the country's main cathedral has been packed to mark the occasion artists on bart and went to report. here at the christ the savior cathedral the main cathedral in the russian capital in churches and cathedrals both here across russia and in all three docs communities across the world it isn't fact christmas it would be awful lot church in the in the crisis a few cathedral worshippers have packed in to take part in to listen to the liturgy chanted and to feel the presence of of the spirit of christmas eve which is here celebrated on the sixth to the seventh of january not the twenty fifth of december because of the use of the julian calendar here but the or russian orthodox church rather than the gregorian calendar in other countries after the soviet union which is just over the end of the soviet union just over twenty years ago there was a a large gap in the number o

orthodox christmas. last year the opposition criticized the church for being too close to the state. they have said 2013 should be a year of reconciliation. inside the glittering cathedral, hundreds of orthodox christians came together for midnight mass. under candlelight and in the church not far from the kremlin, the crowd was said to give thanks to jesus christ. among the worshipers, the prime minister, medvedev. the majority of russians belong to the orthodox church. in recent years it has seen a resurgence of followers, but it was not always this way. during the soviet era, religion was frowned upon, and many died trying to protect it. others followed their faith in secret. >> i was allowed to go to church again, but 42 years ago, i had to baptized by daughter. -- baptized my daughter. >> religion has always united the russian people. i think it is part of tradition. history shows everything has been done in the interest of god and religion. >> the role of the church in secular russia is being questioned more and more. during the past year, the relationship between the russian or

believers still bolland cross themselves with two fingers not with three as they do in modern orthodox churches in russia and never knew when praying was more and more young people leaving for big cities the fear is the old believers culture could be in peril are you not your plans to continue her studies abroad the grandmother says wherever she goes as long as the teen years are fresh in her memory so is the culture ok i. i . join me on a journey to the heart of the kremlin to a place is hidden from the tourists you going to meet some real criminal insiders although they may not be the usual news makers you see on t.v. . but it was leaving me. wealthy british style sun it's a restaurant on. the. market why not. find out what's really happening to the global economy cause a report. and a chill be given you see find knock and it shall be opened on to you. these pictures of them ski as an army recruit were taken in the nineteen released. i never thought that he would become a clergyman was seventy children and yet would be returned home after two years of military service because i had no doubt t

in turkey, orthodox christians gathered for a church service presided over by patriarch bart thol mew and made their way to oxford where the patriarch throws a christmas mix into the crucifix in the water. traditionally they dive for the crucifix and the one who finds it has the honor of handing it back to the patriarch. >> in greece, celebrations at the greek orthodox church near the capital athens. swimmers there also hoping to catch a large, gold cross. a tradition that's believed to bring simmers good luck. in russia midnight masses under way in moscow's cathedral of christ the savior. in egypt, christmas celebrations are being led by the country's new pope. how he's used the occasion to urge all egyptians toned their protest and work on rebuilding the country. he said the church still has concerns about the new constitution. >> thank you so much for talking to us. let me begin by asking you, what is your message to the community on this crearks your first christmas after being ordained as pope? >> firstly happy new year and merry christmas. translator: the most important is one o

many other eastern traditions, including the russian orthodox church and the coptic church celebrate the feast of the nativity, christmas, on january 7th. that's our program for now. i'm bob abernethy. you can follow us on twitter and facebook and watch us anytime on th pbs app f ipnesnd ipads. there's always much more on our web site as well. you can comment on all of our stories and share them. audio and video podcasts are also available. join us at pbs.org. happy new year. as we leave you, scenes from new year's celebrations around the world. --. >>> major funding is provided by the lily endowment an indianapolis-based private foundation, dedicated to its founder's interest in religion, community development and education. additional funding also provided by mutual of america, designing customized, individual and group retirement products. that's why we're your retirement company, the jane henson corporation and the corporation for public broadcasting.

believers still baal and cross themselves with two fingers not with three as they do in modern orthodox churches in russia and never knew when praying was more and more young people leaving for big cities this here is the old believers culture could be imperiled. plans to continue her studies abroad to grandmother says wherever she goes as long as the jews are fresh in her memory so is the culture. which. is good. and. out of line i'm a little. divine power in action activate the sacraments. i am just so many things we are under the control of those governing us before at the service of a space mafia i found on that date the magnetic field of the sun will be folks tend to feel doubtful creates the discipline got the stuff. after the second coming it will be a futile place it will receive its glory it will be a renewed world and it will be a beautiful place. full of professed. little stuff this type of ammunition. it's good business for us it's kind of like being a doctor you know there's a disaster businesses. better unfortunately. if. if. if. i'm. to my surprise something he so much for joining

be a nice thing to do and most of the way i felt that i would offend him if i didn't join the orthodox church with of them. mission if the happiest i. look at that across here in this holy place is that the what the closets says city entire family of royal mottoes was murdered in nineteen eighteen is it and their holy remains were. those of alexei the heir apparent and his sister as. that's why this is a holy place and the more they pray for us to understand. i don't have the worst husband and the wild mind children on two problematic either. things on said drug phones that i have to complain and weep on the time. they want is a tough place to live and i'd like the children to be more self-reliant without being dependent on other people. to set the from stone the thing is that we can't see life as something beyond your rachel something you can't cope with but that would if you're a human being in the proper sense of the word like here on almost anything is within your powers with you but i just feel i may have become somewhat braver but i chose to rely on god's will again again i had to. but

be a nice thing to do and most of the way i felt that i would offend him if i didn't join the orthodox church with the. whole mission if you. look at that across here and there. says see the entire family of royal mosque as was mud it in nineteen eighteen it is there and their holy remains with. those of alexey the heir apparent and his sister as. that's why this is a holy place and the more they pray for us to understand. i don't have to waste time. spend and the wild mind children on two problematic. things own say drug phones are to have to complain and weep was a time. when the world is a tough place to live and. i'd like the children to be more self-reliant his own being dependent on other people. to. get. the comfort from the thing is that because see life as something beyond your reach or something you can't cope with but the but if you're a human being in the proper sense of the word almost anything is within your powers but i can scarcely i may have become somewhat brave it was chose to rely on god's will again me here i had a dream that i wanted to visit some petersburg below the pl

really not be a nice thing to do and which of i felt that i would offend him if i didn't join the orthodox church with them. fish and if the happiest i. look at that across here in this holy place is that the what the law says see the entire family of royal mottoes was murdered in nineteen eighteen it is there and their holy remains with. those of alexey the heir apparent and his sister as. that's why this is a holy place any more they pray for us to understand. i don't have the worst husband and the wild mind children on two problematic either. things on said dreadfuls had to have to complain and weep on the time. they want is a tough place to live and i'd like the children to be more self-reliant without being dependent on other people. to set the front on the thing is that because see life as something beyond your rachel is something you can't cope with but but if you're a human being in the proper sense of the word like here on almost anything is within your powers but i just feel i may have become somewhat braver but i chose to rely on god's will again i had a dream that i want. to visit som

really not be a nice thing to do and most of my felt that i would offend him if i didn't join the orthodox church with them. fish and if the happiest i. look at that across here in this holy place is that the what the law says see the entire family of royal maters was murdered in nine hundred eighteen it is there and their holy remains were. those of alexei the heir apparent and his sister as. that's why this is a holy place anymore they pray for us to understand. i don't have the worst husband and the wild mind children on two problematic either. things on say drug phones that i have to complain and weep on the time. they want is a tough place to live and i'd like the children to be more self-reliant without being dependent on other people. sceptical from stone the thing is that because see life as something beyond your rachel is something you can't cope with but but if you're a human being in the proper sense of the word like he'll on almost anything is within your powers but i just feel i may have become somewhat braver when i chose to rely on god's will again i had a dream that i want. to vis

the patriarch of the russian orthodox church -- , inside moscow's glittering

the twenty fifth of december because of the use of the julian calendar here but the all russian orthodox church rather than the gregorian calendar in other countries after the soviet union which is just over the end of the soviet union just over twenty years ago there was a a large gap in the number of believers after that long atheist period and even today most russians don't strictly observe the russian orthodox christmas for most russians new year is the real celebration but there is a significant number of of strict religious observance of the russian orthodox faith and for them this is an immensely special night indeed for them just as for most russians on new year's eve at large banquet is held many big dinners held and it's also a time for them to go to their church to take part in what is one of the longest services in the russian orthodox calendar but also. in the view of many believers and observers of russian orthodox faith one of the most beautiful services. that is out on what reporting right have thought in just a few minutes it's a bit of oil and cross talk if you can to stay wit

the orthodox church celebrates an epiphany while they say it washings off -- celebrations got under way in moscow on friday night. it's chilly, too, here inler berlin but do stay with us. more news coming up. >> campaigning is heating up in the final days before the israeli election. the election has been pushed forward from its original later date in the year. i've come to a shopping town. 34 parties are fighting for seats in the 1230-member group. when israelis go to the polls, the conservative coalition is expected to win and return prominence for netanyahu to power. which is unclear is what other parties could form the ruling coalition. >> said to everybody, we want to pray to god to make that person to stay strong. god bless you. >> that kind of enthusiasm is rare in this campaign. many voters don't expect the election will change much. >> politicians should ask us what we want all the time this woman says, not just during elections. now they are promising a lot. they should do something and prove themselves no matter if they are to the right or to the left. >> benjamin netanyahu's

and marking orthodox christmas in russia and around the world as people packed into churches and cathedrals for special celebration. this is coming to life from moscow hello and welcome to the program the seaward opposition on the western leaders have rejected a peace plan proposed by president assad and instead they are again demanding that hey should go in a rare t.v. address bashar al assad offered a national dialogue and institutional referendum to end the nearly two years civil conflict but he pledged to continue fighting what he called terrorist violence and urged for nations to stop funding his enemies are sad speech was punctuated with cheering from his supporters but his opponents dismiss that dress as hypocritical and political analyst marcos papadopoulos believes there are elements within the syrian opposition that will continue fighting despite any peace proposals. very important to make this clear in particular for western audiences who are unfortunately not fed the full picture and it comes to syria the free syrian army is a lethal cocktail or various groups including many isl

calendar, this weekend, some eastern orthodox christians, including members of coptic and russian orthodox churcheslebrate epiphany, the day they mark the baptism of jesus. >>> and, finally, the world's largest religious festival got underway in india this week. kim lawton has more. >> reporter: for the next two months, as money as 100 million hindu pill grams are expected to convert for the big picture festival. it happens only once every 12 years. pilgrims believe their sins will be washed away where the third rivers a third mystical river. the festival has been taken place for more than 2,000 years, and officials say this may be the biggest celebration yet. the event commemorates a hindu story that describes the god's fight with demons to gain possession of a golden pitcher containing the neck tar of immortality. during battle, some drops fell to the earth. smaller festivals are held more often at the spots where tradition says those drops fell. but this big picker pitcher festival is considered the holiest. they come out of seclusion and the event has become a meeting point for yoga practitione

believers still baal and cross themselves with two fingers not with three as they do in modern orthodox churches in russia and never knew when praying was more and more young people leaving for big cities the theories the old believers culture could be imperiled. plans to continue her studies abroad to grandmother says wherever she goes as long as the jews are fresh in her memory so is the culture ok.

believers still bolland cross themselves with two fingers not with three as they do in modern orthodox churches in russia and never knew when praying was more and more young people leaving for big city. it's this here is the all believers culture could be imperiled. plans to continue her studies abroad to grandmother says wherever she goes as long as the jews are fresh in her memory so is the culture. it's a job but it's also a religious vocation that's pushing her to constantly find new ways of developing her business. today she visited this cave in the denver area. it's a more than three kilometer deep maze disposes for sale and robin is thinking about buying it for the construction of more underground shelters if somebody was to light a fire sometime in here what about the ventilation with the smoke or something like that you probably would want to get yourself back in a small room with a fire or anything like that but when something like this we're close to an entrance there's a lot of you're going to probably be all right ok. it's a good survival but it's not all i do a cave like this we g